Our History

Zearing Child Enrichment Center, Inc., opened on October 1, 1974 in the Hampshire Colony Congregational United Church of Christ with an initial capacity of 30 children.

In September of 1975, the licensed capacity was increased to 35 children.

On August 6, 1979, the center moved into its next site at 28 East Marion Street. The building was purchased by the Board of Directors and extensively remodeled to accommodate a growing need for child care. Enrollment doubled to 70 children.as increased to 35 children.

In 1985, the Board again responded to a community need for after-school care and remodeled existing space to include a separate room for school-aged children. At that time the licensed capacity was raised to 85 children and included care programs for children ages 2-12.

A generous contribution by our benefactors, Delyte K. and Robert I. Zearing, as well as significant community response to our Capital Fund Drive, enabled us to construct a new 1.1 million dollar center with 13,250 square feet and 10 classrooms. On June 12, 1993, we moved to our present center at 633 Masonic Drive. Licensed capacity is 167 children.

On October 28, 2006 the Center officially changed its name to: Zearing Child Enrichment Center, Inc. in honor of our benefactors, Delyte K. and Robert I. Zearing and to better depict our focus on the educational enrichment of the children who attend the center.